Annemarie Picerno
Updated: Aug 3
For fans who have never heard your music, can you pick three words to describe it? If three words just aren't enough, then tell us more! Powerful, soulful, and unique! I don't write about trucks, daisy dukes, or common themes. My music can be fun, danceable, or reflective, and I like to use colorful lyrics that reflect deep thoughts and emotions when addressing serious topics. Additionally, I infuse passion and hope into my songs, and vocally, I use my voice to tell the story, sometimes adopting the perspective of the character within the song. As I blend genres, my music incorporates elements of Country, Americana, Gospel, Rock, and Soul. Together with my producer Bob McGilpin, I carefully select sounds based on the mood and story I want to convey. What is your favorite part about being an artist? Is it songwriting, performing, recording, something else? Tell us why: Creating a song and how you convey it in performance is a beautiful thing. I have the freedom to write my original music and present it as an art form with vocals and music that convey the emotion and tell the story. Being an entertainer as well as a Grammy member allows me to meet and collaborate with stellar musicians that take pride in their work and use music to make a difference in our world.I not only enjoy the recording process but also live performances, as well as getting out in my music community to explore phenomenal talents. Artists are strong, resilient, and passionate about their craft. They are also very innovative and open-minded creators. I enjoy being with like-minded people as we put our passion, joy, and life into our music. Can you tell us what being in the recording studio is like for you? Each song is unique and the sounds we put into the music support the lyrics, mood, and story I wish to convey along with the message. Bob McGilpin, my producer is fantastic to work with, and always adds interesting sounds that dance around my vocals. I also love songs with strong harmonies. I have a powerful voice, and some songs are driven and soulful, while others are more spiritual and emotional. I write ballads, love songs, gospel, as well as dance, Rock, Country, and Americana. There are no boundaries and I love mixing sounds and genres as each song is uniqely mine so I don't use a formula. I also like to use metaphors and opposites in lyrics as I like people to think about the message, and what it might mean to them.
Okay, this a fun question. When you are not doing music, what else do you enjoy doing? I keep busy with songwriting, radio shows, and promoting Nashville venues that I enjoy, such as Music City Bar and Grill, Luna The Music City Dog, and The Troubadour Nashville. Additionally, I help a lot of other artists behind the scenes by providing resources and guidance when asked. I support Bongo Boy Records, a promotions company by Monique Grimme, who has been a great support to me and my music career. I attend showcases and Grammy events each year and recently had the honor of being a Red Carpet Host at The Soiree event by Al Walser in Los Angeles. I support my fellow music colleagues and continue striving and learning in my own music career. I believe you can never learn enough about the business, so I try new things and do a lot of reading. Social media also takes up a lot of time as an artist, but occasionally, I take a break to enjoy real conversation and visits with friends.
Can you tell us what song you've written that is the most emotional and describe the meaning behind it? "What Will You Say" is a thought provoking song written by myself, asking if life was well lived and relationships mattered. Did we have love and goodness in this world? Did we make a difference in other's lives? Wistful memories of cherished loved ones, along with the struggles, naysayers, and people that travel past us in life, show the beauty of forgiveness, making amends, and a heaven that awaits for those who believe. I think we all consider our past, our future, and crossing over, and our relationships we have experienced. The lyrics wrote themselves, as I begin a blank page and just write my thoughts, then shape into the phrases. I also took a different vocal approach in the delivery, using a lower, raw, raspy but emotional sound. It didn't have to be pretty but real!
Who do you admire most in the music scene today and why? My fellow Grammy members and independent artists are so diligent, talented, and inspiring to me. Being a musician and artist requires much perseverance, dedication, and hard work. There are too many to mention, but overall, independent artists without a big label are revolutionizing the music industry despite the challenges. I am so proud of many of my musical colleagues for making their marks with their art, promotion, and audience engagement, as well as their success. My goal is to produce great music that will stand the test of time and remain a classic for years to come, focusing on quality over quantity!
Are you working on any new material right now or what's in the works for the upcoming year? I recently collaborated on "Love and Peace" singing harmonies with Prem Murti and Natalie Ai Kamauu a recent Grammy nominee. The song also features musicians Tess Remy Schumacher, An Vedi, & Russ Hewitt with lyrics by Mike Greenly. The music was produced by Prem Murti a wonderful composer and artist in India. "Love and Peace" is a song that celebrates the significance of kindness, understanding, and unity in the world. Official Music Video:
Tell us where fans can access your music. Official Website Spotify Instagram Facebook
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About Annemarie Picerno Annemarie Picerno is a Grammy member, Americana Music Association member, Indie Collaborative artist and 2018 Josie Music Award winning artist in Nashville. She has performed in theater, bands in every musical genre, comedy shows, film, radio and television.
Her diverse musical sounds mix country, pop, blues, gospel, soul, and rock. She was awarded Bronze Medal Finalist for July 2023 Global Music Awards, Best Music Video Concept and Grand Jury Prize Gold 2021 Best Music Video at the 2021 Los Angeles Motion Picture Festival for her music video "Color Blind", as well as Best Music Video for 2021 The Global Non Violent Film Festival, 2021 Artist of the Year in Red Carpet Holland Awards, 2019 for The Gran Royale Music Awards and LDM Radio Awards. Select singles also released on Bongo Boy Records and for consideration on the 1st ballot for the 61st, 62nd, 63rd, 64th, 65th & 66th Grammy© Awards. She performs in Nashville as well as promoting her local venues, independent artists, Veteran events, and is a popular featured radio host as well as being active in the Naras community and annual Grammy Awards events.
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